At a time that bookstores across the country are closing, the Dolphin Bookshop & Cafe in Port Washington continues to thrive.
The success of the store, which will be celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, offers an example to be followed by stores across the North Shore and beyond.
That success begins with a willingness of the store’s owners to change.
The store has expanded its product selection to include toys, gifts, cards as well as refreshments in its cafe.
It also hosts events for local authors to promote their books with in-store visits and hosts monthly artist exhibitions of paintings that line the walls of the cafe, giving customers a chance to view the works and even buy them.
The Dolphin also takes advantage of social media, email and the web to aggressively promote its events and its products.
All of which has helped make the Dolphin Bookshop a community center that draws both Port Washington residents and people beyond, a benefit to the shop as well as its neighbors.
Not all retailers have the opportunity to bring in artists and book authors to attract people to their stores.
But at a time of increased competition from the internet, retailers need to explore ways to improve both big and small both in and outside the box.
Government can play an important role in this.
The Village of Mineola recently unveiled an innovative program to help local businesses upgrade their storefronts through a grant obtained by the village. The program, which has been strongly supported by the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, will help local businesses address an area where national chain stores have often had a strong advantage over local retailers — curb appeal.
This is something that retailers can — and if need be — do on their own. It is also something in which local, town or county government can play a role.
The Village of Mineola and the Village of Great Neck Plaza have also made zoning changes encouraged by the county to create transit hubs to spur development near train stations.
In Mineola, the opening of two of the four apartment complexes approved by the village in recent years has been followed by new businesses filling storefronts in the villages business district
The complexes approved by the trustees were the result of a master plan developed by the Village of Mineola in collaboration with the business community and residents more than 10 years ago.
In this, Mineola stands alone in the Town of North Hempstead.
But out east, a similar effort is now being undertaken by the Town of East Hampton, which has hired a consultant to study business districts in Wainscott, East Hampton, Amagansett and Mountauk.
The explanation offered by one town board member, Sylvia Overby, is instructive.
“We want to make sure our local businesses are supported,” Oberby said. “For us local business is best. It means money goes within the community.”
Overby said the study would help the town identify how it could support and improve local businesses.
We hope local governments and Town of North Hempstead officials follow suit and begin doing more to promote local business districts and stores like the Dolphin Bookshop.
Our Views: Opportunities exist to help businesses
